Progress made on four-point agenda during China visit: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that the government made progress on a four-point agenda, which was presented during a visit to China, adding that positive results emerged out of the Pak-China bilateral meetings.

The foreign minister was addressing a session of the Senate, where he said that there were some misunderstandings about relations with Saudi Arabia. “We tried to dissuade any such misconceptions,” said Qureshi.

“There is no reason for us to be a part of contention with Yemen,” he stated, adding that no such thing has happened which can potentially hurt Pakistan.

Qureshi said that the relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were not cordial enough and the recent meetings were an effort to improve relations.

“Saudi Arabia helped us a great deal by giving unconditional support,” he said.

FM Qureshi said that there will be multilateral meetings of Pakistan with China and Afghanistan in December.

He said that there is a proxy war going on and whatever is going on in Yemen and Syria can be seen.

“What should be Pakistan’s role in this war?” he said, adding that at one side Pakistan has relations with Saudi Arabia while at the other Iran is a neighbouring country.

Due to Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, Pakistan is always under scrutiny, said the minister.

FM Qureshi said that on the issue of foreign policy there should be national consensus and it will be what the parliament decides upon.

“Imran Khan has said that he wants to play the role of mediator in Yemen issue… Nawaz Sharif had also tried mediation but he achieved no success in the matter,” said Qureshi.

The Irania foreign minister had said that if Imran Khan is ready to be a mediator then Iran is fine with the decision.

He said that the stance the parliament took on Yemen issue was correct and impartiality can lead to more importance being placed on Saudi Arabia and Iran.